Single-piece hinged clamp for track mounting assemblies

ABSTRACT

Single-piece hinged-clamps employed used in assemblies used to mount solar power modules to surface installation are disclosed. In some embodiments, a clamp with a right portion with a right notch having a right platform, a left portion with a left notch having a left platform, and a base portion with a flexible hinge is disclosed. The left portion also includes a threaded aperture extending downwardly from the left platform. In some embodiments, a method of securing a component with the clamp is disclosed in which a right member of a component is inserted into a right notch of a clamp, an applied force imparts movement of a left notch away from the right notch, and a buildup of potential energy in the flexible hinge during the application of the force moves the left notch in the opposite direction to engage the left member of the component.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/070,351, filed on Oct. 14, 2020 and entitled “SINGLE-PIECEHINGED CLAMP FOR TRACK MOUNTED ASSEMBLIES,” which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/988,677, filed Mar. 12,2020, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety claims.

BACKGROUND

Building-mounted structures are typically secured to a building surfacewith one or more mounting assemblies. Such assemblies may includemultiple components which coupled together to facilitate, for example,the ability to raise and lower track assemblies above an installationsurface to which solar panel modules may be mounted during theinstallation of systems designed to generate solar power. One of thesecomponents could be a clamp which couples together two members of themounting assembly in an arrangement desired for the installation. Whileclamps provide necessary functions to the installation process, eachcould be comprised of at least four separate components which aninstaller needs to handle simultaneously during the installationprocess: a threaded fastener, a nut, and two opposing members forproviding a clamping force imparted by the tightening force applied tothreaded fastener traversing through apertures of the opposing membersto engage the nut with the proper amount of torque. During theinstallation of a solar power generation system, a significant delay canbuildup due to the number of parts being fitted together.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to aclamp assembly comprising a hinged-clamp, a fastener, and a spring. Theuse of this clamp assembly may improve installation time by reducing thenumber of parts with which the installer needs to handle and providingthe installer a snapping feature to provide him/her an affirmativeindication of that two structural members have been clamped together.

In one aspect, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed hereinare directed to single-piece hinged-clamp. The hinged-clamp couldinclude a base with a flexible hinge, a right sidewall with an aperture,a tapered right flange, a right platform, and a right notch formed bythe tapered right flange and the right platform; a left sidewallextending from the flexible hinge and having a tapered left flange, aleft platform, and a left notch formed by the tapered left flange andthe left platform, where the left notch and right notch are collinearwith each other; and a vertical member with a threaded aperture thatextends between the left platform and the horizontal member.

In a further aspect, the single-piece hinged-clamp may be defined with aright portion with an aperture and a right notch having a rightplatform; a left portion with a left notch having a left platformcollinear with the right platform, a horizontal member, and a threadedaperture in a vertical member extending between the left platform andthe horizontal member; and a base portion extending between the rightand left portions and comprised of a flexible hinge.

In a further aspect, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosedherein are directed to a method for securing a component with thesingle-piece hinged-clamp.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the inventive embodiments, reference ismade to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a track assembly installed on a mounting orinstallation surface, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 1B-1C illustrate top and bottom perspective views, respectively,of the track assembly, in

FIGS. 1D-1E illustrate perspective views of a hinged-clamp, inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 1F illustrates a side, cross-sectional view of the hinged-clampwithout a release tab, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 1G illustrates a side, cross-sectional view of the hinged-clampwith a release tab, in accordance with some embodiments; and

FIGS. 1H-1I illustrate side views of a release tool engaging a releasetab of the hinged-clamp, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, several specific details are presented toprovide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein. One skilled in the relevant art willrecognize, however, that the inventive concepts disclosed herein can bepracticed without one or more of the specific details or in combinationwith other components. In other instances, well-known implementations oroperations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuringaspects of various embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosedherein.

FIG. 1A illustrates track assembly 100 installed or mounted oninstallation surface 10 such as a roof and underlying support structure20. FIGS. 1B-1C illustrate top and bottom perspective views of trackassembly 100; FIGS. 1D-1E illustrate perspective views of hinged-clamp110; FIGS. 1F illustrates a cross-sectional side view of hinged-clamp110; 1F illustrates a cross-sectional side view of hinged-clamp 110 witha release tab; FIG. 1F illustrate a side view of hinged-clamp 110; and1I illustrates a side view of hinged-clamp 110 with a release tab.

Track assembly 100 includes a clamp assembly comprised of hinged-clamp110 and fastening hardware 150 of fastener 152. In some embodiments,spring 154 could be employed. For the purpose of illustration and not oflimitation, track 180 with right and left flanges 184 and 182,respectively, could be coupled to mount 190 configured to facilitateheight-adjustability of track 180 to which solar panel modules may becoupled in a solar power generation system. Track 180 is disclosed inU.S. Design Pat. No. D853,954; mount 190 is disclosed in detail in U.S.Pat. No. 11,152,889, a reference which is incorporated herein in itsentirety.

Hinged-clamp 110 includes base (or base portion) 112, right sidewall114, left sidewall 116, and hinge 117 providing a curved or smoothtransition from base 112 to left sidewall 116 which facilitates theinsertion and removal of left and right flanges 184 and 182 of track 180into right notch 118 and left notch 120, respectively, as track 180 isattached to and removed from clamp 110, respectively. In someembodiments, the curved or smooth transition facilitates flexibilitywith a downward swing and a simultaneous buildup of potential energy inhinge 117 during the clamping process as discussed below. A rightportion of hinged-clamp 100 could include distal end 122 of rightsidewall 114 includes right flange 124 tapering angularly downward andinwardly towards left sidewall 116. Also, the right portion couldinclude right platform 126 extends inwardly and approximatelyperpendicularly away from inner surface 128 of right sidewall 114;together with tapered right flange 124, right platform 126 forms rightnotch 118. Right sidewall 114 includes aperture 130 through whichfastener 152 extends when clamp 110 is coupled to mount 190.

A left portion of hinged-clamp 100 could include distal end 132 of leftsidewall 116 includes left flange 134 tapering angularly downward andinwardly towards right sidewall 514. Also, the left portion couldinclude stop structure 136 includes left platform 138, horizontal member140, and vertical member 142 extending between left platform 138 andhorizontal member 140; together with tapered left flange 134, leftplatform 138 forms left notch 120. Vertical member 142 includes threadedaperture 144 for receiving fastener 152 when clamp 110 is coupled tomount 190. Opposing vertical stops 146 extend towards each other fromleft platform 138 and horizontal member 140, providing a gap or spacebetween stops 146.

In some embodiments, stops 146 may provide a visually indication of aprescribed depth insertion of fastener 152 during a two-step process forattaching track 180 to mount 190. In a first step, mount 190 could becoupled to hinged-clamp 100 by inserting fastener 152 through aperture130 and threadably engaging it with threaded aperture 144 in atightening process until the tip of fastener 152 reaches stops 146 toprovide a visual indication that fastener 152 has reached the prescribeddepth insertion. At this point, hinged-clamp 100 is not fastened tomount 190 because the head of fastener 152 does not exert a compressiveforce against its mating vertical surface of mount 190. At this point,hinge 117 is capable of swinging downwardly.

In the second step, track 180 may be attached to hinged-clamp 100 asdescribed below. Then, the tightening process continues until the headof fastener 152 exerts a compressive force upon its mating verticalsurface of mount 190 until the prescribed, final torque has beenreached. During this tightening process, the threads of the tip offastener 152 could be forced between stops 146, especially in instanceswhere fastener 152 is materially harder (e.g., steel) than stops 146(e.g., aluminum). At this point, track 180 has become attached to mount190 through hinged-clamp 100, and hinge 117 is no longer capable ofswinging downward.

In some embodiments, track 180 could be attached to hinged-clamp 100 byinserting right flange 184 into right notch 118, pressing the tip ofleft flange 182 against left flange 184, and applying a downward forceto track 180 as it is continually pressed against left flange 184,thereby imparting a downward travel to left flange 182, a horizontal oroutward travel of left notch 120, and a downward swing of hinge 117until left flange 182 reaches left notch 120, whereupon left notch 120decisively snaps into its place around left flange 182 for a notchableengagement. The snapping action results from a release of potentialenergy built up in hinge 117 during the application of the force.

In some embodiments, track 180 could be attached to hinged-clamp 100 byinserting left flange 182 into left notch 120, pressing the tip of rightflange 184 against right flange 184, and applying a downward force totrack 180 as it is continually pressed against right flange 184, therebyimparting a horizontal or outward travel of left notch 120, a downwardswing of hinge 117, and a compression of spring 154 until right flange184 reaches right notch 118, whereupon right notch 118 decisively snapsinto its place around right flange 184. The snapping action results froma release of potential energy built up in hinge 117 during theapplication of the force.

In some embodiments, the left portion of clamp 110 includes a releasetab 160 comprising member 162 extending outwardly away from leftsidewall 116; with member 162, an installer may press downward on itwith his/her hand to impart a horizontal or outward travel of left notch120, a downward swing of hinge 117, and a compression of spring 154. Insome embodiments, a release tab 160 could include member 164 extendingupwardly away from distal end 166 of member 162 to facilitate the use ofrelease tool 170. In some embodiments, member 164 extends angularly toform an acute angle 168 as shown.

FIGS. 1H-1I illustrate two side views of release tool 170 positioned inrelease tab 560 and applied to the track as shown to enable the releaseof left flange 182 of clamp 110 from clamp 110 as shown. In someembodiments, release tool 170 could be any solid object such as, but notlimited to, a screwdriver and socket wrench placed in release tab 160and against track 180. To release track 180 from clamp 110, a force isapplied to track 180 through release tool 170, imparting a downwardswing of hinge 117, a compression of spring 154, and a horizontal oroutward travel of left notch 120 until left flange 182 clears left notch120. In some embodiments, release tool 170 may not be necessary; rather,a person could apply a downward force against release tab 560, impartinga downward swing of hinge 117, a compression of spring 154, and ahorizontal or outward travel of left notch 120 until left flange 182clears left notch 120.

It should be understood that the aspects, features and advantages madeapparent from the foregoing are efficiently attained and, since certainchanges may be made in the disclosed inventive embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intendedthat all matter contained herein shall be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A single-piece hinged-clamp, comprising: a firstportion comprised of a first aperture and a first notch with a firstplatform; a second portion comprised of a second notch with a secondplatform collinear with the first platform, and a third portionextending between the first notch and the second notch, and comprised ofa horizontal member, a second aperture for receiving fastening hardwareextending through the first aperture, and a flexible hinge, wherein thehinged-clamp is a unitary structure of one-piece construction composedof a single piece of material.
 2. The single-piece hinged-clamp of claim1, wherein the first portion is further comprised of a first flangewhich, together with the first platform, form the first notch, and thesecond portion is further comprised of a second flange which, togetherwith the second platform, form the second notch.
 3. The single-piecehinged-clamp of claim 2, wherein the first flange extends, from a distalend thereof, downward towards the first platform and inward towards thesecond portion, and the second flange extends, from a distal endthereof, downward towards the second platform and inward towards thefirst portion.
 4. The single-piece hinged-clamp of claim 2, wherein thefirst flange extends, from a first distal end thereof, downward towardsthe first platform, and the second flange extends, from a second distalend thereof, downward towards the second platform, where the firstflange is wider at the first platform than at the first distal end, andthe second flange is wider at the second platform than at the seconddistal end.
 5. The single-piece hinged-clamp of claim 1, wherein adownward swing of the flexible hinge imparts movement of the secondnotch away from the first notch.
 6. The single-piece hinged-clamp ofclam 1, wherein the third portion is further comprised of a release tab,such that a downward force applied to the release tab imparts a movementof the second notch away from the first notch and a downward swing tothe hinge.
 7. The single-piece hinged-clamp of clam 1, wherein the firstand second notches are configured to secure a component to an assemblymounted to an installation surface.
 8. The single-piece hinged-clamp ofclam 7, wherein the component is a track employed in an installation ofa solar panel module and comprised of opposing flanges secured by thefirst and second notches.
 9. The single-piece hinged-clamp of claim 1,wherein the second aperture is threaded and configured for threadablyengaging the fastening hardware extending through the first aperture.10. A method for securing a component with a single-piece hinged-clamp,comprising: inserting a first member of a component into a first notchof a clamp; applying a force to impart both a movement of a second notchof the clamp away from the first notch and a downward swing of aflexible hinge of the clamp; and releasing the application of force whena second member of the component reaches the second notch, whereuponenergy built up in the flexible hinge during the downward swing isreleased, thereby imparting movement of the second notch towards thefirst notch, whereby the second notch receives the second member tosecure the clamp to the component, wherein  the clamp comprises theclamp of claim
 1. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein a first flange anda first platform form the first notch, a second flange and a secondplatform form the second notch, and the force is applied to a secondflange.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the force is applied to arelease tab of the clamp extending away from the second notch.
 13. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the component is employed in an assemblymounted to an installation surface.
 14. The method of claim 10, whereinthe component is a track employed in the installation of a solar panelmodule, and the first and second members are opposing flanges of thetrack.
 15. A method for securing a component with a single-piecehinged-clamp, comprising: inserting a first member of a component into afirst notch of a clamp; applying a force to impart both a movement ofthe first notch of the clamp away from a second notch thereof and adownward swing of a flexible hinge of the clamp; and releasing theapplication of force when a second member of the component reaches thesecond notch, whereupon energy built up in the flexible hinge during thedownward swing is released, thereby imparting movement of the firstnotch towards the second notch, whereby the second notch receives thesecond member to secure the clamp to the component, wherein  the clampcomprises the clamp of claim
 1. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein afirst flange and a first platform form the first notch, a second flangeand a second platform form the second notch, and the force is applied toa first flange.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the force is appliedto a release tab of the clamp extending away from the first notch. 18.The method of claim 15, wherein the component is employed in an assemblymounted to an installation surface.
 19. The method of claim 15, whereinthe component is a track employed in the installation of a solar panelmodule, and the first and second members are opposing flanges of thetrack.